A woman has been charged after a car was driven onto train tracks near the Melbourne Cup as a protest about refugees on Manus Island.

A woman has been charged with conduct endangering serious injury after a car was driven onto train tracks and had its tyres deflated at the Melbourne Cup.

The Ford Laser was driven across tracks at Ascot Vale on Tuesday as a protest about refugees on Manus Island, causing train delays ahead of the main race, before it was removed as the woman was arrested, police said.

A 27-year-old Polish woman, who was allegedly bolted to the steering wheel, was bailed to reappear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on February 8.